k, better post something before i forget. here's some notes/pics from back in late August when we (the Osaka JETs) were causing mayhem in Rinku Town...
Rinku Town: a little holiday w/in a "holiday" here in Japan. we`re here at the Japan Foundation Japanese-Language Institute in Kansai, near the southern end of Osaka prefecture (the Keihan train stop right before Kansai airport along the coast).
supposed to be here for 2 days of Japanese language training, but this place feels like more of a resort (w/o the all-inclusive good food though). we get 24hr internet access, free rental bicycles to cruise around town, a beach 5 min. away, and a big ass outlet mall (run by the same company that opened up those Premium outlets in Tulalip, WA) close by as well. take those surroundings, throw in a few izakayas AND the hotel`s err...i mean school`s free karaoke/piano/guitar room and we definitely have a nice little retreat going on.
very thankful for the piano and the guitar (just an old electric piano and a ratty old tak, but better than nothing)...loved it for mellowing out. music keeps me sane.
just barely.
=P
this little getaway was definitely refreshing, a nice little "oasis" for our group of 30-40 Osaka Prefecture JETs still weary from Tokyo Orientation, and just beginning to tackle the challenges of setting up shop locally in our own individual cities. it was a good time to just reconnect, chill, and "try" to work on our Japanese.
ok, some pics...
(the view from my room)
(this one's mine)
white pebble beach
the perfect setting for some ruckus:
(Tyson unloading some ammo)
here, D catches me being the "responsible" one:
"uhh guys, are we being legal here? i think this might be wrong..."
5 minutes later...
"...Sugoi!"
(don't worry, this was all legal...fireworks AND alcohol on the beach. now what could go wrong with that? =P)
seriously though, it's like a local past-time.
a tipsy Rob;
(taking a picture of me, taking a picture of him, taking a picture of me, taking a...)
a few from our Gaijin Biker gang
chillin' with some locals
my midnight piano retreat
beach sunrise, after an all-nighter on the 2nd night:
Farewell Rinku Town...
...we'll be back.